M.2 SSDs are slim solid-state drives that plug straight into a motherboard or laptop slot, and our range covers NVMe and SATA models for desktops, laptops and some game consoles. Brands include Samsung, Western Digital, SanDisk, Crucial, Kingston and Lexar, with over 700 models from entry-level upgrades to high-capacity drives.
How to choose an M.2 SSD
Interface and protocol. Find out whether your slot supports NVMe (PCIe), SATA or both before anything else. Most drives in our range are NVMe, and PCI Express 4.0 is the interface listed most often, followed by PCI Express 3.0 and 5.0. A few are M.2 SATA drives, which fit the slot but run at SATA speeds.
PCIe generation. PCIe 4.0 suits most modern PCs and laptops and handles game loading and large file transfers comfortably. PCIe 5.0 drives are faster on paper, but they need a compatible motherboard and usually run hotter. PCIe 3.0 remains a sensible match for older machines, and newer drives will normally work in older slots at the slower speed.
Capacity. 1 TB is the most common size in our specifications, with 256 GB, 512 GB, 2 TB and 4 TB also available. 512 GB is enough for Windows and everyday programs, while 1 TB or more gives room for a game library or video projects. A drive that is nearly full tends to slow down.
Size and connector. Most M.2 drives are the 2280 size, which is 22 mm wide and 80 mm long, but your motherboard or laptop manual will confirm what fits. A few older mSATA drives appear in the category. They look similar but use a different connector and cannot be swapped with M.2.
Cooling and device type. Laptops often have little space above the slot, so a bare drive without a heatsink is usually the safer fit. Desktop boards often include heatsinks, and fast PCIe 5.0 drives generally need one. Our range includes drives listed for PC, laptop and game console use, so check the device named in the specifications.
M.2 SSD brands we carry
- Samsung: makes its own flash memory and controllers, which is why its NVMe drives are often used as a benchmark for speed and consistency.
- Western Digital and SanDisk: long-linked storage brands, with the WD Black line aimed at gaming PCs and consoles.
- Crucial: the consumer brand of memory manufacturer Micron, so its drives use Micron flash.
- Kingston: best known for memory modules, and also a familiar name for straightforward NVMe upgrades.
- Lenovo, Dell and HP: major PC makers whose drives are commonly used as replacements or upgrades in their own laptops, desktops and workstations.
- Transcend: a long-standing maker of memory and storage, including industrial and embedded products.
- ADATA and Patriot: both run gaming sub-brands, XPG and Viper respectively.
- Lexar: widely known for memory cards, and also makes NVMe SSDs for PCs and laptops.
M.2 SSD questions answered
What is the difference between an M.2 SSD and an NVMe SSD?
M.2 describes the shape and connector of the drive, while NVMe is the protocol it uses to communicate. An M.2 drive can be NVMe, which runs over PCIe, or SATA, which is slower. Most M.2 SSDs in our range are NVMe.
Will an M.2 SSD fit my laptop or PC?
It will fit if your device has an M.2 slot that supports the drive's interface and length. Check the manual for the supported size, usually 2280, and whether the slot takes NVMe, SATA or both. Older mSATA slots are a different standard and need an mSATA drive.
Is PCIe 4.0 worth choosing over PCIe 3.0?
PCIe 4.0 is worth it if your motherboard or laptop supports it, because it offers higher transfer speeds for large files and heavy workloads. For web browsing and office work the difference is hard to notice. If your slot only supports PCIe 3.0, a 4.0 drive will still work but at the slower speed.
Can I use an M.2 SSD in a PlayStation 5?
Yes, the PS5 accepts a compatible NVMe M.2 SSD in its expansion slot. The drive should be PCIe 4.0 and fitted with a heatsink, and you should check Sony's current size and capacity requirements. Our range includes drives listed for game consoles.
